Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography Program

Transcription

1 Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography Program Department of Diagnostic Services The University of Findlay 1000 N. Main Street Findlay, OH Telephone: (419) petct@findlay.edu Adopted 2010 Revised: , , and 2013

2 WHAT IS PET/CT? Positron emission tomography / computed tomography (better known by its acronym PET/CT) is a medical imaging modality which combines in a single gantry system both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), so that images acquired can be done so sequentially, in the same session, and combined into a single superposed (co-registered) image. Thus, functional imaging obtained by PET, which depicts the spatial distribution of metabolic or biochemical activity in the body can be more precisely aligned or correlated with anatomic imaging obtained with CT scanning. WHO IS A PET/CT TECHNOLOGIST? A PET/CT technologist is an extremely high trained individual who has a solid background in mathematics and the physical, chemical, and biological sciences. Under the supervision of a physician, the PET/CT technologist is responsible for the preparation and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals, the performance of in vivo imaging procedures, instrumentation quality control, and the computer analysis of data used by the physician for initial diagnosis and follow-up treatment. The PET/CT technologist works closely with other professionals within the medical community to provide quality patient care. LOCATION/FACILITIES: The PET/CT program is administered by The University of Findlay (UF) and is governed by The University s Board of Trustees. It is an online, asynchronous program accessed through the Learning House Inc. The PET/CT offices are located in the Diagnostic Services Building located at 401 Trenton Avenue in Findlay, Ohio. University facilities available to all University students which may be of interest to the PET/CT program students include: The Ralph and Gladys Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex (indoor track, basketball, volleyball, tennis courts), Croy Physical Education Center (gymnasium, swimming pool, and racquetball courts), the Gardner Fitness Center (exercise and weight rooms), Shafer Library, and the Cosiano Health Center. 1

3 ACCREDITATION: By virtue of the Higher Learning Commission and The Ohio Board of Regents, The University of Findlay is able to offer PET/CT program. Graduates of the program are eligible to test for the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) for PET and for the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) board for CT. Please note that there may be individual state regulations that govern what a PET/CT technologist is permitted to do. The completion of this program does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to perform PET, CT and/or PET/CT in all of the fifty United States and/or its territories. National Certifications: Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to apply for the national certification examinations in both PET and CT, as mentioned above. In some states, certification by both of these two national organizations is needed to apply for licensure so that the individual may legally do PET/CT within the confines of that State. Applicants, students and graduates are strongly encouraged to investigate the requirements of their particular State or the States or territories that they plan on or may someday work in. Applicants to and students enrolled in the PET/CT training program should be aware of the eligibility requirements of the national certification boards in regards to prior conviction, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere to a crime which is either a misdemeanor or felony. Students may file a pre-application with one of the boards in order to obtain a ruling of the impact on their eligibility for examination. A student should contact the individual examination boards directly. In addition, students and applicants should also be aware that the two boards have different eligibility requirements to sit for the boards. These requirements will be explained throughout the program. However, all applicants should review the requirements that can be found at and 2

4 CURRICULUM: A conjoint advisory committee, with a representative from each clinical affiliate, provides guidance for curriculum development and help in assessing the program's current and future needs. The program consists of one semester of asynchronous, online didactic PET/CT specific academic instruction, two semesters, 36 weeks of clinical training (consisting of one semester <18 weeks>of clinical training in PET/CT and one semester <17 weeks>of clinical training in CT) and a final week of review including the final cumulative program exam. The academic instruction and review week/final exam take place online via the Learning House Inc. The clinical training takes place at one or more of The PET/CT program s clinical affiliates. During the academic instruction, you are expected to be available for 40 hours of asynchronous online instruction. Weekly assignments must be done and submitted by 12:01 each Monday morning. Clinical training requires a time commitment of 40 hours per week. During this time, the student must document successful completion of a specified number of terminal educational objectives and clinical training hours and successfully complete assigned clinical projects. These requirements must be completed on both a diagnostic CT and/or a PET/CT unit. Students during clinical instruction must document 700 hours done in PET/CT and diagnostic procedure completions must be made on a diagnostic CT. CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS PET/CT TRAINING: Due to the specific nature of the PET/CT program, previous secondary and postsecondary educational experiences are not considered to fulfill the requirements of the individual courses within the PET/CT professional curriculum. However, a student presently or previously enrolled in another program may apply for credit of the courses and/or clinical training received towards the AA or BS degree through The University of Findlay. The student should follow the normal application process for the PET/CT program. In addition, the student should complete an application to The University of 3

5 Findlay and submit an official training program transcript showing courses taken (including a course description or syllabus), clinical training received, and grades assigned for review. Questions regarding the transfer of previous post-secondary coursework towards a degree should be directed to the Admissions Office. A student under academic/disciplinary suspension or dismissal from another college/university or another program will not be considered for enrollment until eligible to return to his/her former program. ADMISSION: Applications for the PET/CT program are available from the PET/CT administration offices and online at and click the transfer application. Applicants are encouraged to apply twelve (12) months prior to the start of course work. Prospective applicants, unless currently enrolled in clinical training as students in the NMI program, should have all requirements complete and submitted six (6) months prior to the desired beginning class date since enrollment in the program is limited and clinical placement is competitive. Applications may be sent to the PET/CT program far in advance of the desired start date. A NON-REFUNDABLE $25 application fee must accompany each application form. Applications received without the application fee are not processed. Applications are accepted throughout the calendar year. Please note that applications received after the deadline will be only be considered if time and space permits. 4

6 PET/CT Course Application timeline. 6 months prior to semester Application and fee must be submitted High school and post secondary transcripts, proof of board certification for nuclear medicine technology, if needed, 4 months prior to semester Tentative Letter of Acceptance and correspondence concerning available clinical affiliates or a letter informing the applicant of his/her status will be sent to the applicant. 3 months prior to semester The student must return the list of available clinical affiliates with his or her choices indicated. 2 months prior to semester The student should receive a letter from The PET/CT program, indicating additional requirements. Prior to completion of semester The student should have the clinical interview completed. The student must be accepted by a clinical training site and all official documentation completed. Applicants previously receiving their post-secondary education outside the United States must have their credentials evaluated by an acceptable credentials evaluation service or UF to show U.S. equivalency. Official transcripts or mark sheets and degree completion certificates, in English and attested to by a school official, may be sent to the PET/CT program and The University of Findlay will evaluate them. In addition, an official TOEFL score taken in the past two years must be sent to the PET/CT program. If the TOEFL score is below 600 or if no score is provided, then applicant will need to successfully complete the Intensive English Language Program prior to entering the PET/CT program. The TOEFL-iBT score must be an 89 total and 26 speaking, 24 writing, 21 reading and 18 listening or the applicant will need to successfully complete the Intensive English Language Program prior to entering the PET/CT program. 5

7 Examples of acceptable credentials evaluation services are: The International Education Research Foundation Credentials Evaluation Service P.O. Box Los Angeles, CA (310) World Education Services, Inc. P.O. Box 745 Old Chelsea Station New York, NY (212) This evaluation must be completed and submitted prior to being admitted to the PET/CT program by an acceptable credentials evaluation service. The PET/CT program does not pay fees associated with transcript evaluation. Official transcripts of high school, college, and technical training must be obtained and submitted prior to acceptance into the PECT Program. Acceptance into the program is competitive based on the number of qualified applicants and acceptance of the applicant by an affiliate hospital for clinical training. 6

8 Additional PET/CT program requirements include the following: 1. acceptance by a PET/CT program clinical affiliate for the 1400 hour practicum, which is coordinated by the PET/CT program and an interview with the clinical affiliate. 2. documentation of good medical health which satisfies the requirements specified by the PET/CT program and the student s clinical training site. 3. completion and acceptance of a student background check that will be coordinated with the student by the PET/CT program, before the student starts the program and must have been done within six months of starting clinical training. CALENDAR: The program begins each Spring and Fall Semester. August 2014 Class Didactic Session Aug 2014 Dec 2014 Clinical Training I Dec 2015 Apr 2015 Clinical Training II May 2015 Aug 2015 Review/Final Aug 2015 Graduation Date Aug 2015 January 2015 Class Didactic Session Jan 2015-Apr 2015 Clinical Training I Apr 2015-Aug 2015 Clinical Training II Aug 2015-Dec 2015 Review/Final Dec 2015 Graduation Date Dec

9 The University of Findlay and The PET/CT program honors the following legal holidays: New Year s Day Martin Luther King Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day During the academic sessions Thanksgiving Recess, Spring Break, Fall Break and Easter Break are scheduled as appropriate. During clinical training, the training facility will determine the holiday schedule. The PET/CT program recognizes any State/Legal holiday observed by the individual training sites for the students enrolled in clinical training at that site. The University of Findlay and the PET/CT program reserve the right to adjust this calendar when necessary. TUITION/FEES: Cost of the the PET/CT program is as follows: (may be changed at UF discretion without prior notice) Tuition $ 22, Student Activity Fee (non-refundable) Health/Accident Insurance (optional) General Service Fee (non-refundable) Total $ 23, An optional health and accident plan is available at a nominal cost (approximately $295.00). Information regarding this insurance plan should be sent to you with your billing statement. If you do not want this optional insurance, you must complete the waiver online at MyFindlay. Payment in full or an official UF Payment Agreement for all fees is due one week before classes begin. 8

10 HOW TO PAY YOUR TUITION BILL Student account payments are accepted by the following methods: Pay by Electronic Check - Recommended Log on to On the Quick Find menu choose Payments Online and follow the prompts. Mail a check to: The University of Findlay, 1000 North Main St, Findlay OH Make checks payable to The University of Findlay. Be sure to provide the student s ID number and full name. Pay In-Person Pay by cash or check at the Business Office which is located in Old Main. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Payments received after 3:30 p.m. are applied to the next business day. Pay after Hours Deposit checks in a sealed envelope in the 24-hour drop box around the corner from the Business Office window. Be sure to provide the student s ID number and full name. Pay online by Credit Card Web pay with American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa credit cards. Log onto On the Quick Find menu choose Payments Online and follow the prompts. There is a service charge for the convenience of making online credit card payments. The fee will be displayed for your review and acceptance before the payment is processed. Pay by Touchtone Telephone Pay by American Express, Discover and MasterCard credit cards via a touchtone telephone by calling toll-free and following the prompts. There is a service charge for the convenience of making telephone credit card payments. The fee will be stated for your review and acceptance before the payment is processed. 9

11 PAYMENT AGREEMENT Students who choose to defer payment must complete an official UF Payment Agreement each semester and contact the UF Business Office at for any further instructions. REGISTRATION FOR CLINICAL TRAINING In order for a student to register for clinical training, his/her financial obligation to the University must be current. Following are the guidelines for registration: Students who deferred payments by signing a Payment Agreement must be current in their payments in order to register for the next semester. Students who owe $500 or more may not be allowed to register. Questions concerning payment of these fees, the reimbursement policy, or the optional insurance plan should be directed to The University of Findlay s Business Office ( ). Degree-seeking students at UF need to be aware that any institutional merit or needbased scholarship or grant will not renew for the clinical portion of the program. Questions about the financial aid process may be directed to the financial aid office, located in Morey Hall. The phone number is ; is finaid@findlay.edu. The University reserves the right to change the fee structure (and/or reimbursement policy) as necessary. 10

12 General Technical Requirements Although specific technical requirements may vary by online course or program, the following general technical requirements are required for all online courses. Active Account Current Operating System: Windows or Macintosh Internet Connection: DSL/Cable (recommended) Note: A wireless or satellite connection should not be used for taking exams/quizzes and is not recommended for "Live" Web classes. Current Internet Browser: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari Word Processing Software: Microsoft Word (recommended) Additional Free Software Downloads (as necessary) IMPORTANT! For more specific information about technical requirements, refer to the UF Technology Help Desk at (419) , your course syllabus (available approximately 1 week prior to your course start date), or contact your instructor. Other Expenses An estimated cost of textbooks/etexts is $ Each student must undergo a physical exam required by the clinical training site and/or the PET/CT program. Physical forms will be provided to the student. Some hospitals require an extensive background check, drug testing or screening and vaccination against many communicable diseases, including Hepatitis B and Rubella. All costs for any physical exam and/or medical testing, screening, vaccinations and background check are the responsibility of the student. The student will also incur expenses during the clinical training session which may include (but not be limited to) room and board, transportation, uniforms, and other miscellaneous expenses such as postage for submission of assignments and application fees for the national certification exams. Actual costs will depend on the 11

13 geographical area to which the student is assigned. Reimbursement Policy The Reimbursement Policy follows the current policy at The University of Findlay. Contact the Business Office for dates and refund percentages. It is the student's responsibility to contact his/her advisor or the Office of the Registrar and officially drop the classes before the start of the session in order to receive a refund. Refunds are based on the day the course is officially dropped, not the last day the course was attended. If a student attends a class session, he or she is considered officially enrolled. Failure to drop a course could cause the student to receive an "F" grade and full charge for the class. Financial Aid Refund Policy When a student withdraws from all classes after the beginning of a term, the University's charges for tuition and fees may be adjusted. In that event, adjustments to financial aid are likely as well. For the federal programs (e.g., Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant [SEOG], Federal Perkins Loan, Ford Federal Direct Loan, Federal PLUS Loan), adjustments will be made in line with federal regulatory policy, which allows the student to keep the federal aid that has been earned. 12

14 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information available at the time copy is prepared for this brochure, The University and the PET/CT program reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. The University of Findlay and the PET/CT program is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment. No student shall be subject to discrimination in violation of State or Federal Law. Any student admitted to The University of Findlay and the PET/CT program that has documentation identifying a learning disability has the right to request and receive modifications in accordance with Title V, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of Any student who displays characteristics typical of a learning disability may request accommodations. Information pertaining to the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act is available upon request from the University s Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Services. PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Additional information regarding the PET/CT program, policies, and procedures will be available to the PET/CT student on the PET/CT Orientation Module. A PET/CT Student Handbook outlining program policies and procedures is available online for enrolled students. Frequently Asked Questions: Thank you for showing interest in the PET/CT program at The University of Findlay. This section of the PET/CT Student Brochure was designed to help answer any questions you may have about the PET/CT program and the admissions process. This section consists of frequently asked questions and the answer to those questions. If 13

15 you have any specific questions that may not be addressed here, please feel free to contact us directly. What is PET/CT? Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) are combined into a hybrid imaging technique that shows both anatomic and metabolic imaging into one session. These two technologies are state-of-the-art imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of diseases within the body before making treatment and follow-up treatment recommendations. The highly sensitive PET scan images the biology of disorders at the molecular level, while the CT scan provides a detailed picture of the body's internal anatomy. The PET/CT scan combines the strengths of these two comprehensive imaging modalities into a single scan. What does a PET/CT Technologist do? The PET/CT technologist is a highly trained professional who has a strong background in mathematics and the physical, chemical, and biological sciences. The PET/CT professional is responsible for radiation safety, quality control, administering radiopharmaceuticals, performing highly specialized imaging procedures, preparing patients for interventional procedures, and preparing data for interpretation by a physician. The PET/CT technologist works closely with other health professionals within the medical community to provide quality patient care. I have my college/university degree from another country. Can these courses be used to meet the PET/CT program entrance requirements? Applicants receiving their post-secondary education outside the United States must have their credentials evaluated by an acceptable credentials evaluation service, such as the World Education Service, Inc. or The International Education Research Foundation, or University to show U.S. equivalency. All applicants must document successful completion of the prerequisite courses regardless of the degree(s) 14

16 acquired. Do I need prior medical experience to apply to the PET/CT program? Applicants to the PET/CT program must provide or obtain and provide, prior to clinical training, documentation as active nuclear medicine technologist from either the NMTCB and/or the ARRT (N). Do I need a four-year degree to work as a nuclear medicine PET/CT technologist? At this time, a four-year college degree is not mandated, but it is encouraged. The University of Findlay offers both an Associate of Arts (2 years) and Baccalaureate of Science (4 years) degrees. Effective January 1, 2015, The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) requires that candidates applying for primary certification must have earned an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in any major. Currently, the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) has not specified that a degree is required to apply for the NMTCB national certification exam in positron emission tomography. How do I obtain national certification as a nuclear medicine positron emission tomography and computerized tomography technologist? Upon successful completion of an accredited program such as the PET/CT program at The University of Findlay, you can apply and take the national certification exams in both positron emission tomography and computerized tomography. These exams are offered by the NMTCB and by the ARRT respectively. The requirements for these exams can be found at and 15

17 What if I was convicted of a crime and what is the policy regarding drug testing? Child abuse clearance and student background checks are required. A particular site can refuse to accept a student if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. The clinical training sites also have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to gain clinical training results in an inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. Students must comply with the ethical behavior expected of a healthcare professional. Additional information regarding ethical and professional behavior may be found at and/or How many students does the PET/CT program accept? The PET/CT program at The University of Findlay accepts approximately 10 students per class. What courses will I take at The University of Findlay? The PET/CT curriculum contains the professional courses in PET/CT technology. Specifically, you will take courses in patient care, radiation protection, computers, image quality analysis, instrumentation, processing, cross sectional anatomy, radiopharmacy, and pharmaceuticals. Course descriptions are available on The University of Findlay s PET/CT website. 16

18 How much vacation time and sick time do I have during the program? The PET/CT program runs for 52 consecutive weeks. During the academic session, the PET/CT program follows The University of Findlay s semester schedule. University recognized holidays and vacation breaks will appear on your daily schedule of classes. Clinical training begins immediately after the academic session. Once in clinical training, the PET/CT program recognizes seven legal holidays (New Year s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). During the clinical training session, you can take up to 40 hours of vacation/sick/personal time as arranged with your Clinical Supervisor(s). The 40 hours of vacation must be used as 20 hrs in clinical one and 20 hours in clinical two. When do I need to apply to the PET/CT program? The application process is suggested to begin one year prior to your anticipated start date. The completed application along with the application fee will start the process. Current certified nuclear medicine technologist credentials, application fee, official high school and college transcripts must be received prior to the start of courses to be considered. What happens to my application when it is received in the PET/CT administration offices? A file is created for you and placed in the applicant files for the specific class to which you have applied. You will receive an acknowledgement of your application, application fee and any other pertinent documentation that may have already been received. 17

19 Once I have sent my application and application fee to the PET/CT program, what do I do next? Make arrangements for your official high school, college and any postsecondary training transcripts to be sent directly to the PET/CT program administration offices (not to any other office at The University of Findlay). Submission to any other office most likely will delay or deny your admittance into the program. If no transcripts are received by the time of review by the Admissions Committee, your file will be considered incomplete and you will not be considered for admission into the program for the class requested. You may want to contact the PET/CT program prior to the application deadline to determine what documents have been received and which documents are outstanding. What happens if I don t meet the application deadline for the class that I want to attend? If your application is postmarked after the application deadline, you may not be considered for that specific class. Your application and file may automatically be placed in the next available class. What happens to my application if the fee or transcripts are not received by the documentation submission date? All documents must be received by the documentation submission date in order for the application to move on to the next step, which is to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. If there are official transcripts missing (including the high school transcript), then your application is considered to be incomplete and the Admissions Committee will not review or consider your application for the class desired. If I apply and all of my documentation is received and course work completed by the deadlines, will I automatically be accepted into the program? No. An application is just that. It is an application for consideration for acceptance. Acceptance is competitive based on the number of applications. 18

20 I received a D in one of my previous degree seeking courses. Can I still attend the program? All degree seeking courses must have a C and/or 70% or higher grade. Any degree completion course with a C- or below must be repeated to meet the academic admission requirements of UF. Even if the low grade is acceptable by the college/university that you are attending, it does not meet the UF degree completion requirements and therefore will need to be repeated at another institution prior to entering the program or at the conclusion of the PECT program must be taken at The University of Findlay. I received a letter of tentative acceptance for the program. What does this mean? A tentative acceptance letter means that you can proceed to the next step of the admission process while completing any missing degree seeking courses. This next step involves working with a PET/CT Program in obtaining a clinical training site. You will receive a letter from the PET/CT Program outlining the process for choosing an appropriate clinical site. You must understand that a PET site as well as an appropriate diagnostic CT clinical site will be necessary. It is vitally important that you follow the steps indicated and meet any deadlines given. I received a letter indicating that I am an alternate for the class. What does this mean? The PET/CT program receives many applications from qualified individuals applying to the program. Only a limited number of these applicants can be accommodated in any class. As an alternate, you would be considered for any opening in the class that may become available if any of the tentatively accepted students withdraw. The Admissions Committee will consider all alternates when an opening becomes available and the best possible candidate will be chosen. 19